Arthur j



(No Model.)

A. J. WELLS.

` Y FILE. No. 550,923. Patented Dec. 3, 1895.

'.1 w y' A INVE TUR ATTORNYS,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR J. VELLS, OF SYRACUSE, NET YORK.

FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,923, dated December 3, 1895. Application lecl September 3, 1895. Serial No. 561,210. (No model.)

T @ZZ whom it may concern: Y,

Be it known that I, ARTHUR J. VELLS, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Files, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improved file of the type set forth in my prior patent, No. 466,969, dated January 12, 1892, for receiving, filing, and supporting` letters, circulars, books, and other matter, and has for its object the production of a device of such construction that its partitions are particularly designed to permit their ready adjustment and aiford the necessary support to letters,

papers, and similar articles liable to pass through open partitions; and to this end it consists, essentially, in the general construction and arrangement of the component parts of the iile, all as hereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a vtransverse section of a file embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2 2, Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is an isometric view of one of the detached plates or shields for the adjustable partitions of the file.

A represents the frame or inclosing case of the file, which is of any desirable form, size, or construction and is here illustrated as rectangular in cross-section and as provided with rear and side walls a a.' a' and a movable front door d2, hinged at as to one of the side walls a.

B is a support or shelf arranged within the frame or inclosing case A,and although I have here illustrated but a single support or shelf it will be understood that any suitable number thereof may be arranged one above the other. The support or shelf B'is suitably secured within the frame or inclosing case A and is preferably provided with a bottom piece b and a rear wall b', arranged at an angle with each other and having their outer edges provided with transverse engaging shoulders usually formed by grooves h2. The bottom piece b and the rear wall Z1 are preferably composed of wood or other suitable material, and the grooves b2 are usually formed in metallic strips b4, securedto the outer edges of said bottom piece and rear wall.

D D are a series of partitions engaged with the support or shelf B and preferably formed with upper and lower engaging portions d d for entering the grooves b2 in the bottom piece b and rear wall b. The partitions D are preferably formed of a main body, usually constructed of spring-wire or other similar material andaconsisting of front and top arms d2 d3, arranged at substantially right angles with each other, the top armA being formed with a downwardly-extending open loop d4, Fig. 2,the lower end of which is normally arranged adjacent to the top face of the bottom piece b. The main bodies ofthe partitions D, although economically manufactured and particularly applicable for ready securement and adjustment to effect variation in the width of the compartments formed thereby, are liable to permit the passage from one compartment to another of letters, papers, and similar articles. I therefore provide the partitions D with plates or shields E, which are of any desirable form, size, and construction and are preferably detachably secured to the main bodies of the partitions D for facilitating their adjustment. Said plates or shields are usually constructed of sheet metal and are formed substantially U-.shaped, their branches e e being arranged on opposite sides of the partition D.

If desired, the plates or shields E may be composed of spring material, and their opposite branches will then engage the main bodies of the partitions D and prevent undue disengagement of said plates or shields.

Although simple in construction, the plates or shields E are an important feature of my file and .add greatly to its practicability and adaptability for receiving and supporting letters, papers, and similar articles.

The operation of my invention will be readily perceived upon reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, and it will be particularly noted that the partitions are readily adjusted and effectively support any interposed articles and prevent passage of the same from one compartment to another.

The exact detail constru etion and arrangement of the parts of my ile may obviously be considerably varied without departing from the spirit of my invention, and hence I do not herein specifically limit myself to such exact detail construction and arrangement.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a ile, the combination of a support, and a series of partitions engaged with the support and adjustable toward and away from each other, said partitions being provided with detachable plates or shields, sub stantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a file, the combination of a support, and a series of partitions secured to said support and consisting of wires or bars, and a series of plates or shields formed substantially U shaped and having theirbranches arranged at opposite sides of the wires or bars, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. As a new article of manufacture, the herein described partitions, the same consisting of a main body, and a substantially U shaped plate or shield having its branches arranged on opposite sides of said main body, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 29th day of August, 1895.

ARTHUR J. XVELLS. Vlfitilesses:

E. A. XVEISBURG, K. H. THEOBALD. 

